As Kogi State approaches the 2027 governorship election, one question has returned with compelling urgency: Can a multi-ethnic state truly thrive when one of its three senatorial districts has never produced a governor in 32 years? Since the creation of Kogi in 1991, Kogi West has remained completely shut out of the leadership of the state. Kogi East has governed for 16 years; Kogi Central has already completed 12 — and powerful political forces are now pushing for an unprecedented stretch to 16 consecutive years.
In any democratic society, this pattern is untenable. Equity is not an indulgence; it is the bedrock of stability. A state that routinely sidelines one of its major blocs cannot claim cohesion, nor can it build the level of mutual trust required for long-term development. Power rotation — whether at the federal or state level — exists to prevent domination and sustain balance. Kogi must not continue making itself the exception to this principle.
Senator Karimi’s Political Salvo
The conversation around justice and balance took a decisive turn at the recent Kabba Day celebration when Senator Sunday Karimi delivered a direct and timely political salvo. His remarks cut through the usual political ambiguity and reopened the long-suspended conversation about fairness in Kogi’s power structure. His intervention unsettled the political establishment, particularly around Governor Ododo, and exposed the fragility of the current arrangement.
To those familiar with the undercurrents of Kogi politics, this moment was inevitable. The politics that produced Governor Ododo in 2023 was, by every credible measure, politically incorrect. No moral, democratic, regional, or historical logic can justify installing another Kogi Central governor after eight uninterrupted years of Yahaya Bello. Extending that dominance to 12 under Ododo — and now manoeuvring for 16 — is not just a political overreach; it is an open assault on the principle of balance.
There is an old truth that remains relevant today: there can be no peace without justice. The calm surrounding the current administration is deceptive — a quietness before an unavoidable debate. When Kogi West demands its rightful turn, it is not agitation; it is equity. No part of a state should be sentenced to perpetual exclusion.
The “White Lion,” who engineered the imbalance for his own political advantage, no longer commands the jungle he once dominated. His shadow may remain, but his influence is diminishing. The political tide is shifting, and any serious realignment between Kogi West and Kogi East will fundamentally alter the state’s power equation.
If Governor Ododo hopes to survive beyond the present, performance is his only path to legitimacy. Patronage cannot substitute for justice. Competence cannot be replaced by fear. The people are watching, and leadership will be judged by delivery.
A Matter of Logic, Not Sentiment
The argument for a power shift to Kogi West in 2027 is not rooted in emotion. It is grounded in logic. No state can remain cohesive when one district is consistently denied inclusion. Power rotation is not merely symbolic; it is a stabilising mechanism designed to prevent the emergence of permanent winners and permanent losers.
This is why the idea of a Kogi West–Kogi East understanding is gaining momentum. Both districts recognise the danger of continued imbalance and the necessity of restoring political fairness.
Why Kogi East Must Anchor the Correction
Kogi East has historically benefited from the principle of zoning. Today, it must defend the same principle. Supporting Kogi West in 2027 is not charity; it is enlightened self-interest. A West governor backed by the East will:
- Reduce ethnic and political tension
- Strengthen legitimacy across the state
- Ensure fairer project distribution
- Establish a predictable transition pattern
- Restore public confidence in the state’s political fairness.
A democracy thrives only when every region feels seen and included.
Why Kogi West Must Act With Discipline
For Kogi West, this is a moment that requires clarity, unity, and strategic discipline. Justice alone does not guarantee victory — organisation does. The district must avoid internal fragmentation and present a candidate capable of building bridges, commanding respect statewide, and delivering competent governance.
The Stability Logic of a West–East Coalition
A properly negotiated West–East coalition offers
Kogi the most credible path to lasting stability. It provides:
- A governor with broader legitimacy
- A cabinet that reflects the state’s full diversity
- A shared development strategy
- A political environment less prone to conflict
- A safeguard against authoritarian excesses
- A transition process anchored on reciprocity
A Structured Power-Sharing Framework
For this coalition to endure, the framework must be clear, fair, and mutually binding:
- Deputy Governorship for Kogi East
- Minimum 40% cabinet appointments for the East
- Strategic ministries aligned with regional development
- Infrastructure commitments to Dekina, Ankpa, Idah, Ofu, Olamaboro
- A Joint Economic and Security Council
- Equitable youth, women, and SME empowerment pipelines
2027: A Decision Between Stability and Prolonged Tension
The 2027 election will determine whether Kogi chooses balance or continues along a path of dominance. Extending Central’s run to 16 years, despite already enjoying 12, would be politically reckless and socially destabilising. A deliberate shift to Kogi West — anchored by Kogi East — would signal maturity and restore balance.
Conclusion: Resetting the Political Compass
All moral, logical, and strategic arguments point in one direction: 2027 must return power to Kogi West. Not out of sentiment, but out of commitment to fairness, stability, and the future unity of the state.
Kogi now has a historic opportunity to correct a long-standing injustice, rebuild trust, and create a more predictable political future. It must not waste this moment.
Power is not merely about who governs; it is about who feels included. Justice is not just a principle; it is the anchor of peace. 2027 must honour both.
– Yusuf, M.A, PhD
Distinguished Lecturer & Researcher, Federal University Lokoja
Public Affairs Analyst • Policy Commentator • Governance Strategist
